Used Subaru Outback Buyer's Guide (2020–2024)
Check the 2020 to 2021 CVT chain recalls, windshield crack coverage, the thermo control valve and screen warranty extensions, and the air bag sensor.
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The sixth generation Subaru Outback ran from 2020 to 2024. It is a tall wagon with standard all wheel drive and lots of room, which is why so many end up on the used market. Buyers can pick a regular 2.5 liter model or a 2.4 liter turbo in the XT trims and the Wilderness.
Every version uses a CVT automatic. The biggest recall for a buyer is a CVT drive chain recall on some 2020 and 2021 models. The 2020 model also had recalls for the brake pedal bracket, the fuel pump and the rearview camera. Some 2022 models had an engine stall recall and a windshield bonding recall.
Owner complaints to NHTSA are highest for 2020 and 2022, and the top complaint area is visibility and wipers. Subaru also settled a class action over cracked windshields on 2020 to 2022 models. Subaru has extended coverage on 2020 to 2022 models for windshield cracks, the thermo control valve and the touchscreen head unit. Those programs can save a buyer money, so ask for the records.
- 2.5L 4-cyl boxer
- 2.4L 4-cyl turbo boxer (XT trims and Wilderness)
Sixth generation (BT), sold as model years 2020–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 2020–2024 | CVT automatic | All wheel drive. Check the CVT chain recall on 2020 and 2021 models, and the thermo control valve coverage on 2020 to 2022. |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 2020–2024 | CVT automatic | XT trims, and the Wilderness from 2022. Subaru says the first CVT chain recall covered 2020 turbo models. |
- Base and Premium The most common trims, with the 2.5 liter engine.
- Limited and Touring More comfort and tech with the 2.5 liter engine.
- Onyx Edition XT Turbo trim with darker trim pieces.
- Limited XT and Touring XT Turbo versions of the upper trims.
- Wilderness Added for 2022. Turbo, raised ride height and off-road tires.
- 2023 Only 2 recalls in NHTSA data, for driveshaft bolts and the gear position switch, and 94 NHTSA owner complaints (89 filed as Outback and 5 as Outback Wilderness). It is newer, so it has had less time to collect complaints.
- 2024 No recalls in NHTSA data for this year. NHTSA files most 2024 complaints as Outback Wilderness (95) plus 2 as Outback. It is the newest year, so the low recall count partly reflects age.
- 2020 First year. 6 recalls, the most of any year, including the CVT chain, fuel pump, brake pedal bracket and camera recalls, and 899 NHTSA owner complaints, the most of any year.
- 2022 4 recalls, including the engine stall harness and windshield bonding recalls, and 464 NHTSA owner complaints, 255 of them about visibility and wipers.
- 2021 Still in CVT chain recall 22V-485 and the shifter cable recall. 296 NHTSA owner complaints, fewer than 2020 or 2022.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 21V-955 covers certain 2020 Outback models. A programming error in the transmission control unit may let the clutch engage before the drive chain is fully clamped, so the chain may slip and break and cause a loss of drive power. Recall 22V-485 expanded it to certain 2020 and 2021 Outbacks. Dealers reprogram the unit, check its data for chain slip and look at the chain guide. If they find slip or damage, they replace the transmission free. Subaru bulletin 16-139-22R says 2020 turbo models in the first recall that kept their CVT get extended CVT coverage for chain slip, one time, for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls 21V-955 and 22V-485, read the records for the recall work and any CVT replacement, scan for transmission codes and road test for slipping, shudder or loss of power.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-955 · NHTSA recall 22V-485 · Subaru bulletin 16-139-22R, CVT warranty extension (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 21V-587 covers certain 2020 Outback models and other Subarus. The low pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail and stall the engine while driving. Dealers replace the pump free. Subaru bulletin 09-129-24R extends fuel pump impeller coverage on some 2020 Outbacks to 15 years. Cars that were in a fuel pump recall get 15 years or 150,000 miles from the recall repair, and some others get unlimited mileage.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 21V-587, read the records for the pump replacement and road test for hesitation, rough running or stalling.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-587 · Subaru bulletin 09-129-24R, fuel pump impeller warranty extension (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 22V-473 covers certain 2022 Outback models. The engine wiring harness may be damaged and leave a loose connection to the engine computer, which can stall the engine. Dealers replace the engine wiring harness and the engine computer free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 22V-473, scan the engine computer for codes and road test for stalling or warning lights.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 22V-473
Three smaller recalls hit single years. Recall 19V-664 covers certain 2020 models whose brake pedal bracket may have a missing or loose bolt, which over time can reduce braking. Recall 21V-024 covers certain 2021 models whose CVT shift cable nut may loosen so the gear selector does not work right. Recall 23V-647 covers certain 2023 models whose driveshaft center support bolts may loosen and let the front of the driveshaft come loose. All are free fixes.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls 19V-664, 21V-024 and 23V-647, feel the brake pedal, check that the shifter selects every gear, and listen for driveline clunks or vibration on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-664 · NHTSA recall 21V-024 · NHTSA recall 23V-647
NHTSA recall 24V-227 covers certain 2020 to 2022 Outback models. A part in the front passenger seat occupant sensor may crack and short circuit, which can stop the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash. Dealers replace the passenger seat sensors free. Owner letters were mailed in February 2025.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall 24V-227 and check the passenger air bag indicator with the seat empty and with a person in it.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-227
Visibility and wiper problems are the top complaint area for 2020, 2021 and 2022 Outbacks in NHTSA data. Subaru settled a class action over cracked windshields. For 2020 to 2022 Outbacks, Subaru extended coverage for a qualifying crack in the original windshield to 8 years or 100,000 miles from the in service date. It is a one time replacement with an updated windshield, and a non-Subaru windshield or a salvage title is not covered. Separately, recall 22V-712 covered certain 2022 Outbacks whose windshield may not have been bonded well enough. Subaru offered an exchange or buyback for those.
WE CHECK We look over the whole windshield for cracks and chips, check whether it is the original Subaru glass, read the records for a warranty replacement, and check the VIN for recall 22V-712 on 2022 models.
SOURCE Subaru windshield warranty extension notice to retailers (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2020 Subaru Outback · NHTSA owner complaints, 2022 Subaru Outback · NHTSA recall 22V-712
Subaru bulletin 09-119-24 extends coverage on the thermo control valve, a part in the engine cooling system, to 15 years or 150,000 miles on 2020 to 2022 Outbacks. Subaru says coolant vapor can get into the sensor part of the valve and set engine codes P2682 or P26A. A newer valve design was made, and Subaru will pay back owners who paid for this repair.
WE CHECK We scan the engine computer for stored codes, check the coolant level and look for leaks, and read the records for any valve replacement.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 09-119-24, thermo control valve warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Subaru bulletin 15-322-25 extends coverage on the touchscreen head unit in 2020 to 2022 Outbacks to 8 years or 150,000 miles. It covers a black or blank screen, loss of audio, repeated rebooting, and problems with CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth or the touch screen. Recall 20V-766 covers certain 2020 models where a failed software update can make the rearview camera image shut off. Recall 23V-755 covers certain 2021 to 2023 models whose gear position switch can take on water, so the reverse lights and camera image may not work.
WE CHECK We test the screen, audio, Bluetooth and phone connection, shift into reverse several times to check the camera and reverse lights, and check the VIN for open recalls 20V-766 and 23V-755.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 15-322-25, head unit warranty extension (on NHTSA) · NHTSA recall 20V-766 · NHTSA recall 23V-755
Subaru settled a class action over battery drain that covers the 2020 Outback. Bulletin 07-207-22R extends 12 volt battery coverage. The first battery was covered in full for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Later batteries get partial coverage, down to 60 percent of the cost up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. Owners must get an authorization number from the settlement administrator first.
WE CHECK We test the 12 volt battery and charging system, check its date, and ask how often it has gone dead.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 07-207-22R, battery drain warranty extension (on NHTSA)
Forward collision avoidance is one of the top complaint areas for every year from 2020 to 2023 in NHTSA data. Subaru settled a class action over the EyeSight system, which covers 2020 to 2022 Outbacks with EyeSight, except those with EyeSight version 4. Bulletin 07-235-25 added 1 year or 12,000 miles of partial coverage after the basic warranty for the camera and rear sonar parts. A short coverage window for older cars ended November 29, 2025, so most used Outbacks are now past this coverage.
WE CHECK We road test with EyeSight and adaptive cruise on where safe, watch for sudden braking or warning messages, check the windshield in front of the camera, and scan for codes.
SOURCE Subaru bulletin 07-235-25, EyeSight warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Subaru EyeSight class action notice to retailers (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2020 Subaru Outback
- Check the VIN for open recalls, especially on 2020 to 2022 models.
- Road test for CVT slipping, shudder or loss of power.
- Scan the engine and transmission computers for stored codes.
- Look over the windshield for cracks and check whether it is original glass.
- Test the touchscreen, audio, Bluetooth and the rearview camera.
- Check the passenger air bag indicator with the seat empty and occupied.
- Road test EyeSight and adaptive cruise for sudden braking.
- Test the 12 volt battery and charging system.
- Proof of CVT recall work under 21V-955 or 22V-485 on 2020 and 2021 models, and any CVT replacement.
- Fuel pump replacement under 21V-587 on 2020 models.
- Passenger seat sensor replacement under 24V-227 on 2020 to 2022 models.
- Any windshield, thermo control valve or head unit replacement under Subaru's extended coverage.
- Regular oil changes and CVT fluid service if the owner had it done.
- Battery replacements, and any battery drain visits on 2020 models.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Subaru Outback you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Why do Subaru Outback windshields crack?
What is the Outback thermo control valve warranty?
Is the Outback touchscreen covered?
Which Outback years have the fewest problems?
Does the Outback have a fuel pump recall?
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